Josephine Kritz

LORAIN - Josephine (nee: Ciriaco) Kritz, 79, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at Hope Hospice Center in Cape Coral, FL after a lengthy illness.

A lifelong resident of Lorain, Josephine was born May 23, 1937 in Lorain, OH to her loving parents, Jesse and Mary Ciriaco who preceded her in death.

Josephine graduated from Lorain High School, Class of 1955B and kept lifelong friends with many girls from her class who gathered every month to play pinochle at each other's homes. She was a member of The Red Hatters Club for 12 years. She worked during the elections at voting booths for 30 years and was a presiding judge of her precinct for 10 of those years.

She married High School sweetheart, Robert F Kritz, on October 26, 1957 and they raised three children, Robert, Deborah and Jeffery.

Josephine worked as a realtor for Reith Realty, Realty One and Howard Hanna before retiring after 35 years in 2013. She was known as Josephine "Jo" Kritz and had quite a large following of customers due to her great reputation and how friendly she was.

She enjoyed cooking, traveling, spending time with her many family and friends and enjoyed all Cleveland sports. She coached girls basketball, softball and volleyball for many years at St Peters. She was a lifelong member of St. Peter Parish in Lorain.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, Robert "Bob" Kritz; loving children, Robert (Mary) of North Olmsted, Deborah of Cape Coral FL and Jeffery (Linda) of Burbank CA; sisters, Anita Schueller, Joan Deluca, Eleanor Ciriaco, and Teri Ciriaco; brother, John (Judy); grandchildren, Joseph (Stephanie), and Jason (Dawn); great-grandchildren, Autumn, Aaron, Mariah, Matthew, Logan and Ava; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Reidy-Scanlan-Giovannazzo Funeral Home, 2150 Broadway, Lorain, (440) 244-1961 on Friday, January 20, 2017 from 3:00 - 7:00 PM. Closing prayers will be held at the funeral home on Saturday at 8:50 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 AM, Saturday, January 21, 2017 at St. Peter Parish, 3655 Oberlin Ave, Lorain, Bishop John Stowe, officiating with Fr. Craig M. Hovanec, Pastor, concelebrating. Christian burial services will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain, OH. Memorial Donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association of Lorain County, 38440 Chester Rd, Avon, OH 44011 or to the American Heart Association, 1689 East 115th St., Cleveland, OH 44106. Online condolences may be sent using www.rsgfuneralhome.com.